The biennial Miles Art Awards event and exhibition has come to a close but before it did voters picked one artwork to win the people's choice award. Ulemj Glamuzina's piece Odd one Out. She spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times about her inspiration for the piece.
Can you tell us a little about the piece you have created?
Odd One Out is an abstract piece where I am exploring relationships between texture, movement and mark-making. I aimed to create a work that is balanced and engaging.
As a child I grew up being very aware of my different background every time I moved from one country to another and learning different cultures. I tried to learn the differences very quickly in order to assimilate. I didn't want to be the odd one out but inside I was always aware of how different I was as there usually was no one around me who shared a similar background.
In the last couple of years I started looking more inwards and accepting myself. I am trying to release control and get free in the painting. When I paint, it is okay to be vulnerable. I connect with myself and trust my intuition, accepting who I am and feeling ok with being different.
What inspired you to enter the awards?
